US Approves Potential $24.3 Billion F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Saudi Arabia

The United States Department of State announced on September 17 that it has approved a potential sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The proposed deal is estimated at $24.3 billion and includes 48 aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, as well as necessary communications equipment, spare parts, and support services.

This approval follows a direct appeal made by Saudi Arabia to United States President Donald Trump in early 2025. The kingdom has long expressed interest in acquiring the F-35, which is widely considered the world’s most advanced fighter jet due to its stealth technology and ability to evade enemy detection.

The potential sale represents a significant shift in United States policy regarding military exports to the Middle East. For years, Washington has adhered to a policy of ensuring Israel maintains a "qualitative military edge" over its regional neighbors, a standard that has historically restricted the sale of the most advanced American weaponry to Arab states. Israel has operated the F-35 for a decade and currently remains the only country in the Middle East to possess the aircraft.

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia is increasingly involved in regional conflicts. On September 16, Houthi forces in Yemen claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over the city of Marib, a strategic location in the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces.

If finalized, the sale would alter the existing balance of military power in the region and test the long-standing framework used by the United States to weigh weapons transfers to Middle Eastern allies. Saudi Arabia remains the largest customer for United States arms, and this deal marks a notable development in the defense relationship between the two nations.